Spain World Cup triumph became reality as Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in extra time to secure a 1-0 victory over 10-man Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, ending Spain’s 16-year wait for a second world title.
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The breakthrough came early in the second half of extra time when Pedro Porro delivered a cross to the far post. Nico Williams headed the ball into the danger area, allowing Torres to fire a powerful rebound into the roof of the net.
Argentina’s hopes suffered a major setback in stoppage time of normal play when midfielder Enzo Fernández received a red card in the 90+3rd minute after a late challenge on Pau Cubarsí. The dismissal forced the defending champions to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
Spain had earlier come close to breaking the deadlock before extra time, but Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez produced a superb save to keep out a curling free-kick from teenage star Lamine Yamal.
Argentina also lost defender Lisandro Martínez to injury late in the first half. The centre-back left the field in the 44th minute and veteran Nicolás Otamendi replaced him.
Lisandro Martínez had been one of Argentina’s standout performers throughout the tournament, leading the team in clearances and ranking among its top players for defensive interventions.
Argentina entered the final seeking to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the FIFA World Cup, while Spain aimed to win the tournament for the first time since lifting the trophy in South Africa in 2010.
The final attracted a crowd of around 80,000 spectators at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. Among those in attendance was US President Donald Trump, who watched his first match of the tournament.
Spain’s victory crowned the European champions as world champions once again, with Ferran Torres’ extra-time strike proving the difference in one of the tournament’s most closely contested finals.
